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You are here: Home / My Favorites / The “Frida Does the 1940’s” Outfit

The “Frida Does the 1940’s” Outfit

02/25/2016

frida 1

Hola, Amigas! 

I started this outfit last summer and ta-da! It’s done 8 months later!  As I continue delving into my UFO sewing collection, this one is the latest to become a wearable garment, or in this case — an outfit!

simplicity 1261

I used Simplicity 1261, a vintage peasant blouse and skirt pattern from the 1940’s.  The blouse has raglan sleeves and a drawstring neckline.  I chose view 1 as my base, omitting both the lace on the edges of the sleeves and inserting narrow elastic rather than ribbon in the casing of the neckline.  The pattern is rather small, so I re-sized it from a bust 30″ to a bust 48″ using the slash and spread grading technique.  I also made the sleeves longer as is my preference.

frida 2

The blouse is made of a black cotton batiste and I sewed the garment together using French seams before beginning the embroidery.  I took a swatch of my skirt fabric with me to Joann’s and picked out colors that matched it.  The embroidery is similar to my 1950’s embroidered peasant dress, and is done freehand.  I embroidered my favorite pansies and very much enjoyed using these colors and mixing-and-matching them in different patterns.

peasant blouse

I was really slow with getting the embroidery done on this.  As I said, I started this eight months ago, working on it off-and-on until about October, when I put it away.  I took it out again a few weeks ago and finished it up.  I really do love doing embroidery, so I’ll be starting another embroidered project soon.  This time I’m going to use a design transfer, so that will be something a little different for me!

inside embroidery

As the skirt for this pattern is just a simple “dirndle” style skirt with two rectangles and a waistband, I didn’t bother grading up the 25″ waist.  Instead, I cut the fabric to my desired length/width and made a waistband to fit my waist.

dressform 1

The skirt is made of Alexander Henry Frida La Catrina border print fabric in a dark aubergine.  Stonemountain & Daughter posted this fabric on their Instagram feed and I was so obsessed with it, that I stopped by their store to purchase it the next time I was in Berkeley.  The fabric came before this outfit as I pondered for a little while what to make with it before deciding on this 1940’s outfit.

border print

I believe I purchased 2 1/2 yards of this fabric.  If I wanted to make a fuller 1950’s style skirt, I probably would have bought twice that amount, but for a 40’s skirt, I didn’t need as much.  I used an invisible zip on one of the side seams and sewed with a narrow seam allowance as I attempted to have as less of a break in the border print as I could.

frida 3

I wanted a very narrow hem on this skirt so that I didn’t swallow up too much of the print.  I sewed rayon seam binding along the hem, using it like hem tape, to achieve this.

skirt hem

I had had the skirt cut out after I sewed the peasant blouse together before I began work on the embroidery.  After I finally finished the embroidery, this outfit — with the exception of the skirt hem — was completed in an afternoon.  When it was done, I had to put it on and prance around the house.  It really is a satisfying make.

frida back

I wanted to take some photos by our Bird of Paradise plant, but it’s in a bad location for photos, so I cut one off and posed with it.  It matches my outfit perfectly. 🙂

frida 4

The first pictures I took (the last four pics of me in this post were taken later) were out in one of our pastures.  Some of the wildflowers are blooming and it would be a fantastic backdrop.  Unfortunately, I waited a little too late in the day to take these and the sun was too bright, so I tried another location.  I also had cows watching me, wondering what I was doing.  Spring has apparently sprung as we await more much needed rain!

closeup

Now that I have this peasant blouse pattern traced and re-sized to fit me, I plan on making a few more.  I’m not certain if there will be another embroidered blouse in my future, but I do plan to make my next one with rick-rack and ribbon in the neckline casing.  Perhaps one with a ribbon trim, too.  The only thing I will change about the pattern is to lengthen the top about 2″.  It’s fine with my high waist tucked into a skirt, but it is a little short if I planned to wear it un-tucked with shorts or jeans.

frida 5

I am super elated about this outfit.  My only problem is that it may be a little costume-y wearing both pieces together.  I love retro fashions to the core, but I like to make them more modern and less like a pin-up or like I’m dressed for Halloween.  It might seem as if I’m trying to be a Mexican senorita, of which I am neither.  So, I will probably fix that by wearing this skirt with a plain knit tee and the blouse with a different skirt.  I’d actually like to make a skirt with a ruffled hem like the one on the pattern envelope.  That’s not to say that I won’t wear this complete outfit, as I definitely will!  It’s just probably something I would be more likely to wear whilst in the Bay Area or on the coast, rather than where I live in the foothills.

I do have some extra fabric which was on the other end of the border print.  It has skulls and hearts and neat things like that.  I have some of that on the waistband of the skirt, but not much of it is showing.  I’m thinking about making a purse and using pieces of that fabric to applique on it.  Isn’t Alexander Henry fabric so cool?

Also, here’s one knocked off for my vintage pattern pledge!

Happy Sewing!

footer 2 redux

 

  • Blouse:  Vintage Simplicity 1261 in cotton batiste, made by me
  • Skirt:  self-drafted in quilting cotton, made by me
  • Shoes:  J. Crew
  • Earrings:  Bauble Bar
  • Hair Flower:  VeeVee Vintage on etsy
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Filed Under: My Favorites, Retro Garments, Vintage Patterns

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Comments

  1. Bex B. says

    July 2, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    You are such an inspiration to me, and WOWWWW. You really outdid yourself with this one! I adore the 40s peasant style tops and skirts, and I don’t think this one looks too costumey at all. The embroidery is gorgeous. Pinning this for future reference. Thank you for sharing your design and sewing skills!

  2. Laura Poehlman says

    February 27, 2016 at 6:32 pm

    I love this, and really think it’s quite restrained, and not too costumey! I would be in a flower crown holding a monkey if I’d make this! I love Frida so so much.

    • tanyamaile says

      March 1, 2016 at 7:14 pm

      I think you need to replicate it with the flower crown and monkey. FTW!

      • Laura Poehlman says

        March 2, 2016 at 9:52 am

        I admit I’ve been wanting the Alexander Henry folklorico print with the goats so much, but there’s also one with sacred hearts on it that speaks to me…

        • tanyamaile says

          March 2, 2016 at 9:55 am

          All of it is so wonderful!

          • Laura Poehlman says

            March 2, 2016 at 6:05 pm

            You inspired me to find that print in the yardage I desired. I found it on etsy in the red on pink I wanted. I got my goat! I will make an outfit fit for a flower crown! At least a braid crown..

  3. Marianne K says

    February 27, 2016 at 4:58 am

    Lovely outfit! The embroidery is very pretty and so is the Bird of Paradise flower. Too bad it’s in a bad spot for pics, would love to see how it grows!

    • tanyamaile says

      March 1, 2016 at 7:15 pm

      Thank you, Marianne! 🙂

  4. Debi_myhappysewingplace says

    February 26, 2016 at 9:14 am

    This is FABULOUS! I love the freehand embroidery and the perfectly matching skirt fabric! And well done on the grading!!

    • tanyamaile says

      March 1, 2016 at 7:15 pm

      Thanks, Debi! It was fun to do. It’s nice to have a palette to work with for inspiration!

  5. SunGold says

    February 26, 2016 at 7:42 am

    What a wonderful outfit! You look fantastic! May I steal your idea?

    • tanyamaile says

      March 1, 2016 at 7:16 pm

      Thank you! Steal away! 🙂

  6. kathyh says

    February 25, 2016 at 7:22 pm

    Love the pansies. Gorgeous outfit o you.

    • tanyamaile says

      March 1, 2016 at 7:17 pm

      Thanks, Kathy! Pansies are my favorite! I have a legit pansy transfer pattern now to embroider.

  7. Debbie Jones says

    February 25, 2016 at 2:53 pm

    Tanya, your outfit looks beautiful. I’ve been watching the photos you have shared of your embroidery and it is wonderful to see it on your completed blouse. The whole outfit works so perfectly together, you must be so pleased with it.

    Debbie
    http://www.sewinfromtheheart.com

    • tanyamaile says

      March 1, 2016 at 7:17 pm

      I certainly am! It’s so nice to have finished something like this that isn’t a quick make!

  8. Marike Smit says

    February 25, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    I LOVE everything about this outfit-the choice of patterns to show off the fabric and the embroidery, the Fridah Kahlo fabric, the embroidery and simply how everything came together -this is such a special outfit!

    • tanyamaile says

      March 1, 2016 at 7:18 pm

      Thank you, Marike! I am certainly overjoyed with it. 🙂

  9. Crab&Bee says

    February 25, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    I was so excited to see this post – your embroidery turned out beautifully! It really elevates the pieces into an outfit. When you say you did the embroidery freehand, does that mean you designed them as you embroidered?

    • tanyamaile says

      February 25, 2016 at 2:11 pm

      Thank you!! Yes, I designed the embroidery as I did it, like drawing with thread.

      • Crab&Bee says

        February 25, 2016 at 4:01 pm

        So cool 🙂 I hope to make an embroidered garment myself soon!

        • tanyamaile says

          March 1, 2016 at 7:18 pm

          Do it!!!! 🙂

  10. Becky Maxwell says

    February 25, 2016 at 9:08 am

    That is a beautiful outfit! Yes please do more embroidery I love it and have no time these day to do any. Perfect Cinco de Mayo Cali-girl look 🙂

    • tanyamaile says

      February 25, 2016 at 9:50 am

      Thank you, Becky! I surely will be doing more embroidery. I was actually able to finish this one up mostly riding in the car!

  11. Andie W. says

    February 25, 2016 at 8:42 am

    Your outfit is absolutely gorgeous! Beautiful embroidery and a perfect print for the skirt. Love it. <3 <3

    • tanyamaile says

      February 25, 2016 at 9:50 am

      Thanks, Andie! <3

  12. mrsmole says

    February 25, 2016 at 8:24 am

    Just darling and the embroidery really highlights the skirt’s flowers. Such a nice outfit to welcome Spring!

    • tanyamaile says

      February 25, 2016 at 9:50 am

      Thank you! It is very spring-y! 🙂

  13. www.tresbienensemble.com says

    February 25, 2016 at 7:42 am

    WOW! The embroidery you did on the peasant blouse really sets it apart! And, I think you chose a great pattern to showcase your skirt fabric. The whole outfit came together wonderfully.

    • tanyamaile says

      February 25, 2016 at 9:51 am

      Thanks, Michelle! The embroidery really does turn something place into something much more interesting!

  14. Manju says

    February 25, 2016 at 7:27 am

    That embroidery is amazing! Wow. Even if you don’t want to wear both pieces together they will still work as beautiful separates.

    • tanyamaile says

      February 25, 2016 at 9:51 am

      Thanks, Manju! I do think they will work great as separates. Very interchangeable!

  15. Brenda Marks says

    February 25, 2016 at 7:25 am

    Beautiful! This is a delightful outfit, and the embroidery is inspired. You’ve done a great job of using the fabric for a starting point. Go Tanya!

    • tanyamaile says

      February 25, 2016 at 9:52 am

      Thank you, Brenda! It’s definitely a time where the fabric started the whole outfit!

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My Favorites

  • The 1920’s Egyptian Revival Gown
  • The Embroidered Zig Zag Dress
  • The 1929 Pansy Dress
  • The 1930’s Silk Velvet Dress
  • Sailors are My Weakness [The Dorothy Lara Dress]
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  • The 1950’s Robin Hood Dress
  • The Broderie Anglaise Birthday Dress

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A finished project! I used McCall 1247 (c. 1946) t A finished project! I used McCall 1247 (c. 1946) to create this blouse. It's made out of a rayon twill that I got from @lafinchfabrics. I started this project pre-pandemic and just finished it... I have been experiencing a lot of sewing lethargy, which isn't unusual considering our current circumstances here in the US. I'm trying to get my sew-jo back as I would just love to sit here all day sewing and watching TV. I have been embroidering and am finding escape in that. ❤️
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